Manx Cat Breed Information

Group

Long Haired, Short Haired

Weight

17-30 cm

Length

3.5-5.5 kg

Lifespan

8-14 years

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About the Manx Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

The tailless cat with the huge round eyes – that’s the Manx!

But there’s a whole lot more to this ancient breed, and everything you need to know about this sensational feline will be in this guide.

Keep reading to learn more about the Manx breed – from their history and temperament to their appearance and grooming needs (and more!)

What Is the History & Origin of the Manx Cat?

While their exact origin remains a mystery, these iconic tailless cats have existed since ancient times on the Isle of Man (a small island sitting in the Irish Sea between Ireland and England).

According to folktales, a tailless cat swam ashore from a shipwreck just off the island and spread the tailless gene throughout.

Other rumours claim that a cat with a spontaneous short-tailed mutation was brought ashore by a ship of Nordic or Spanish sailors.

Regardless of the true story, due to the tiny size of the Isle of Man and its isolation from the mainland, the tailless Manx gene soon became the dominant trait amongst the local cat population on the island. These cats were first recorded in 1807.

What Is a Manx Cat Breed?

Besides being known as tailless cats, the Manx breed actually falls into many different categories according to their tail length.

These include: (and yes, it’s reminiscent of the dwarves in Snow White!)

Longy – has a full (“normal-length”) tail
Stumpy – has a partial tail
Rumpy Riser – has a little stubby tail
Rumpy – has no tail at all (tailless)

According to the Cat Fanciers Association, The International Cat Association, and some cat registries, the Rumpy and Rumy Riser Manx cat breeds are the only varieties that are allowed to compete in cat shows.

The Longy and Stumpy may still participate in shows, but they would fall under a different category.

Who Is a Manx Cat Best For?

Especially when joining the household as a kitten, the social and active Manx cat is a lovely pet for families with small children and other cats or dogs that are cat-friendly.

Just like a puppy, this playful cat enjoys playing fetch and tends to learn tricks very easily!

This cat breed adores attention, but at the same time, they like to be in a peaceful environment where other pets respect their authority.

You might find that an adult Manx will take some more time to adjust to living in a household with children, especially if they are used to living in a quiet place.

What Does a Manx Cat Look Like?

In case you missed it, this cat breed is predominantly completely tailless (or with a very short tail.)

This cute kitty is round in almost every way – with a round head, round whicker pads, round eyes, round-ish ears, and a round rump.

Their hind legs are distinctly longer than their front, causing their hind end to be noticeably higher than their shoulders when standing.

Coat

The Manx is typically known to be shorthaired with a double coat, although some cat registries recognise the longhaired Manx (with the same genes). In certain European and Asian countries, the longhaired Manx is seen as a separate breed – the Cymric cat.

Colours

Manx fur comes in virtually any colour, with tabby, ginger, and tortoiseshell being the most common and pure white and colour-pointed being the rarest.

Patterns

As with the variety of different colour possibilities for the Manx, these felines come in every beautiful pattern combination you could think of.

Manx Cat Grooming & Shedding

Keeping the Manx’s double coat healthy and smooth requires constant care through regular brushing (which these kitties love) and even more brushing during the shedding period.

Whether your Manx cat has a short or longhaired coat, they will drop a fair amount of mass during the shedding season, and you’ll need to brush them daily to remove dead hair.

How Do Manx Cats Behave? A Look at Their Temperament and Personality

If you’re looking for a sweet, social, nonchalant, and affectionate cat breed, you will love the Manx!

Although they can have a strong independent flair, they are exceptionally loyal companions to their human families, and they tend to follow their favourite two-legged friends around the house.

Some Manx cat owners claim that their intelligent and playful feline could easily be confused for a puppy because they enjoy playing fetch and following verbal commands – just like dogs!

Lastly, the Manx is an excellent hunter with a history of being used as ratters on ships and farms.

Living Needs

Like most cat breeds, these house cats are fairly low-maintenance.

They are well-tempered and easy-going, which means they can get along with other peaceful cats and dogs, as well as small children.

What Are Common Habits and Activity Levels of Manx Cats?

Habits

This kitty displays “rabbit-like” movements, often walking by simultaneously moving its hind legs – like cute little bunny hops.

Their behaviour is often likened to dogs since they can be rather playful and highly intelligent, usually learning to fetch small objects.

Activity level

While the Manx is gentle, they are also very playful cats, enjoying a moderately active life.

This kitty is a skilled jumper thanks to its powerful, long hind legs (which sure make up for its lack of a tail!).

Their dexterous little paws are great at opening cabinets and even turning on faucets.

Vocalness

Don’t be surprised if your furry friend gets loud. The Manx isn’t shy when it comes to letting you know when they want something – whether that’s attention, affection, or food!

What Is the Weight, Height, and Size of a Manx Cat?

Height

Depending on various factors, the Manx can be as little as 17cm and up to 30cm tall.

Weight

A fully-grown Manx can weigh anywhere from 3.5kg to 5.5kg.

Size

The Manx is a medium-sized cat.

Are Manx Cats Easy to Train?

If you’re looking for a highly intelligent kitty that’s easy (and fun) to train, a Manx cat will be the perfect choice for you!

You can train them to understand vocal commands and learn new tricks with relative ease.

These cats love the challenge of learning new skills. And who wouldn’t want a cat that can play fetch with them?

Does the Manx Cat Have Any Common Health Issues?

The Manx is a generally healthy breed, but all cats have the potential to develop genetic health problems, and as a cat owner, it’s good to be aware of them.

These health conditions include:

Arthritis – this occurs in the tailbone of “stumpy” Manx cats.
Corneal dystrophy – an eye disease that develops in Manx kittens, by four months old.
Manx Syndrome – a collection of health problems, including a shortened spine, urinary tract issues, and bowel and digestive disorders. This develops in 20% of Manx kittens.
An extremely sensitive rear end – risers and stumpies still have nerve-ending in that area, despite the lack of a tail.

What Is the Lifespan of a Manx Cat?

Manx cats are expected to live for eight and anywhere up to 14 years.

How Much Does a Manx Cat Need to Be Fed?

As with most cat breeds, the Manx will need a balanced diet of nutritious cat food, containing proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, and clean water.

To keep their beautiful thick coat healthy, they should be getting adequate omega-three fatty acids (through fish oils). Fibre is also important to maintain good digestion in these kitties.

The Manx will thrive on both a high-quality wet or a dry cat food diet – with ‘meat’ listed as the main ingredient.

How Much Can You Expect to Pay for a Manx Cat in Australia?

You can expect to pay between $150 and $500 for a purebred Manx kitten from a reputable breeder.

The price depends on factors like the quality of the breed, the Manx category (the cat’s tail length), the coat length, the rarety of the coat colour and patterns, and more.

Manx Cat FAQs

Is a Manx cat rare?

The tailless Manx cat isn’t necessarily rare, but they aren’t considered common when compared to other cat breeds, like the British Shorthair or the Scottish Fold.

The Manx comes in all coat colours and patterns. However, a pure white-haired Manx is quite a rare find!

What is special about a Manx cat?

Manx cats are best known to be completely tailless (thanks to a genetic mutation), and they have distinctly long hind legs and a round head.

However, some Manx cats are born with a few extra vertebrae in their shortened stump of a tail.

Are Manx cats aggressive?

Aggression isn’t a trait associated with the Manx cat breed.

These felines are generally affectionate, friendly, and intelligent cats – making them a great family pet – even if you have small children.

Some even say these cats are devoted to their human pack in a dog-like way! They are extremely sociable, and they love making new friends.

Do Manx cats have bathroom issues?

Unfortunately, some Manx kittens born with defective spines and spinal nerves will often experience fecal or urinary incontinence. They will often walk with an abnormal gait.

Affected cats also commonly experience constipation and a condition called megacolon, which tends to worsen with age.

On the bright side, many Manx cats show no signs of spinal cord problems at all, with a properly functioning urinary and digestive tract and hind legs.